The Master Scale Technique for Guitar! Part 2

In our first part, we learned that there is a scale pattern that can be used to play scales anywhere on the fretboard. If you haven`t read that page then go to Master Scale for Guitar and check it out.

Now we will have a look at the pattern in a little more depth and see how we can play all the major scales and minor scales using it.

Lets have a look at the patten again.

_x_xx line 7
_x_xx line 6
_xx_x line 5
_xx_x line 4
x_x_x line 3
x_x_x line 2
x_x_x line 1

In the previous lesson I didn`t show you what you should do if you have to go from line 7 to line 1 or line 1 to line 7. Well, its a simple solution. I`m just going to rewrite the pattern.

_x_x_x line 3
_x_x_x line 2
_x_x_x line 1
_x_xx line 7
_x_xx line 6
_xx_x line 5
_xx_x line 4
x_x_x line 3
x_x_x line 2
x_x_x line 1

Effectively the whole pattern will move 1 fret towards the body going from line 7 to line 1.

Hopefully you can understand the way that pattern is working, so I will now explain the next step. This is just a pattern we have looked at in the C scales.

I am now going to rewrite the pattern but this time highlight the Root note position.

_x_xx line 7
_x_xR line 6
_xx_x line 5
_xR_x line 4
x_x_x line 3R_x_x line 2
x_x_x line 1

This is now the pattern to play the Ionian mode (major scale) for any note. All you have to do is find any specific note you want to play the major scale for and position the R on that note. Its that simple. All Ionian major scales with one pattern.

Now for the next.

Dorian mode!

_R_xx line 7
_x_xx line 6
_xx_x line 5
_xx_R line 4
x_x_x line 3
x_R_x line 2
x_x_x line 1

Phrygian mode

_x_Rx line 7
_x_xx line 6
_Rx_x line 5
_xx_x line 4
x_x_x line 3
x_x_R line 2
x_x_x line 1

Lydian mode

_x_xR line 7
_x_xx line 6
_xR_x line 5
_xx_x line 4R_x_x line 3
x_x_x line 2
x_x_x line 1

Mixolydian mode

_x_xx line 7
_x_xx line 6
_xx_R line 5
_xx_x line 4
x_R_x line 3
x_x_x line 2R_x_x line 1

Aeolian mode

This mode is also called the minor scale!. Thats right, if you play this one, you are automatically playing a minor scale for any key.

_x_xx line 7
_R_xx line 6
_xx_x line 5
_xx_x line 4
x_x_R line 3
x_x_x line 2
x_R_x line 1

Locrian mode

_x_xx line 7
_x_Rx line 6
_xx_x line 5
_Rx_x line 4
x_x_x line 3
x_x_x line 2
x_x_R line 1